Halligan, John, “Death by cyber-bully," The Boston Globe, 17Aug05, p. A13.

 

According to iSave America, a nonprofit organization designed to promote Internet safety:

        • 91% of kids 12-15 use the Internet regularly,

        • 90% of parents think they know what their children are doing online,

        • only 66% of children tell their parents what they are  doing,

        • while 92% of parents say they have Internet rules,

        • only 65%of young people say their parents have set guidelines.

 

The author of this article says he and his wife were among those who knew the risks of the Internet and had done all they could to protect their 13-year-old son. Still, after being humiliated online to the knowledge of many of his friends, he turned to some suicide chat room and sites and took his own young life on October 7, 2003. As a result the writer and his wife have joined in a movement to protect children from online bullying.

 

They are encouraged that Massachusetts, aware of the extent of this problem, has launched a “Safe Schools Initiative” pilot program “to prevent all forms of harassment and hate crimes in the state’s schools, including ‘cyber-bullying.’” Most parents and adults do no realize the extent of bullying in the cultures of children and youth these days. Nor do they understand how this is carried on through the Internet.

 

This couple, who have tragically lost a son, pass on these suggestions:

 

1.        Keep the computer in a high-traffic area.

2.        Know your child’s “buddy list.” Does your child know all of these; do you, and are you satisfied with the relationships?

3.        Make sure your son or daughter keeps their personal information private to avoid predators.

4.        Learn Instant Messaging (IM) lingo, e.g. that POS means “parent over shoulder.”

5.        Discuss Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms with your children.

6.        Discuss bullying in all forms with your children.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

 

1.     What is your experience or knowledge of bullying in general, and cyber-bullying in particular? Do you have anything to add, or do you take exception to anything in the article above?

 

2.     How do you think bullying can be diminished and inappropriate Internet activity be restrained?

 

3.     How should this issue be looked at in a larger context; how does it related to other problems in the youth culture?

 

IMPLICATIONS

 

1.     This story is not entirely unique. This is not the only account of someone whose suicide was brought on by bullying or whose use of the Internet led to death.

 

2.     Fortunately, we do not have to deal with all the problems considered in this Encyclopedia individually. A healthy family life and certain general precautions will avoid most of these problems. Families need to communicate. Other systems (school and religious congregations) can also assist.